Overview
Background
Professor Mark Cooper is Chair of Prediction Based Crop Improvement at The University of Queensland, and a global leader in quantitative genetics and plant breeding. His work involves integrating genomic prediction and crop growth models into an ‘end to end’ framework for crop improvement.
Professor Cooper has pioneered the development of novel genetic modelling methodologies, based on gene networks, to study important properties of quantitative traits in biology, and demonstrated how this new genetic modelling framework can be successfully used in plant breeding to improve prediction of important traits under the influences of selection. Professor Cooper’s work at DuPont Pioneer on drought adaptation in one of the largest maize breeding programs in the world led to the AQUAmax hybrids that presently cover millions of hectares worldwide.
A quantitative geneticist by training, Professor Cooper spent 20 years working with industry in the United States and as CEO of his own consultancy firm Zenrun42, before returning to UQ to build upon the critical mass of predictive agricultural expertise in QAAFI and the wider university.
Availability
- Professor Mark Cooper is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Agricultural Science, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy of Agriculture, The University of Queensland
- Graduate Certificate in Education, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Mark Cooper’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Conference Publication
Prediction of non-additive genetic effects with hierarchical genomic prediction models
Powell, Owen, McLean, Greg, Brider, Jason, Saddigh, Joe, Technow, Frank, Tang, Tom, Totir, Radu, Messina, Carlos D., Hammer, Graeme and Cooper, Mark (2024). Prediction of non-additive genetic effects with hierarchical genomic prediction models. International Conference of Quantitative Genetics (ICQG) 7, Vienna, Austria, 22-26 July 2024. doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.26425735.v1
2024
Other Outputs
Molecular Breeding Methods
Cooper, Mark, Messina, Carlos, Technow, Frank and Totir, Radu (2024). Molecular Breeding Methods. 11985930.
2024
Journal Article
Methods for evaluating effects of transgenes for quantitative traits
Linares, Julien F., Coles, Nathan D., Mo, Hua, Habben, Jeffrey E., Humbert, Sabrina, Messina, Carlos, Tang, Tom, Cooper, Mark, Gho, Carla, Carrasco, Ricardo, Carter, Javier, Flounders, Jillian Wicher and Brummer, E. Charles (2024). Methods for evaluating effects of transgenes for quantitative traits. Crop Science, 64 (1), 141-148. doi: 10.1002/csc2.21141
2024
Journal Article
Contrasting leaf‐scale photosynthetic low‐light response and its temperature dependency are key to differences in crop‐scale radiation use efficiency
Wu, Alex, Truong, Sandra Huynh, McCormick, Ryan, van Oosterom, Erik J., Messina, Carlos D., Cooper, Mark and Hammer, Graeme L. (2024). Contrasting leaf‐scale photosynthetic low‐light response and its temperature dependency are key to differences in crop‐scale radiation use efficiency. New Phytologist, 241 (6), 2435-2447. doi: 10.1111/nph.19537
2024
Book Chapter
Transforming food production with AI
Cooper, Mark, Hickey, Lee, Jiang, Xianxian, La Fata, Giorgio, Lomas, Harold, Miller, Tim, O’Brien, Susan, Patel, Parth and Tomarchio, Samuel (2024). Transforming food production with AI. Food AI: A game changer for Australia’s food and beverage sector. (pp. 5-13) edited by Janet R. McColl-Kennedy and Damian Hine. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland, Australia's Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA).
2023
Conference Publication
APSIM-WGP: a software platform to predict crop GxExM interactions
Powell, Owen, McLean, Greg, Brider, Jason, Hammer, Graeme and Cooper, Mark (2023). APSIM-WGP: a software platform to predict crop GxExM interactions. GxExM Symposium II, Gainesville, FL USA, 6-7 November 2023.
2023
Journal Article
Genetic modification can improve crop yields — but stop overselling it
Khaipho-Burch, Merritt, Cooper, Mark, Crossa, Jose, de Leon, Natalia, Holland, James, Lewis, Ramsey, McCouch, Susan, Murray, Seth C., Rabbi, Ismail, Ronald, Pamela, Ross-Ibarra, Jeffrey, Weigel, Detlef and Buckler, Edward S. (2023). Genetic modification can improve crop yields — but stop overselling it. Nature, 621 (7979), 470-473. doi: 10.1038/d41586-023-02895-w
2023
Other Outputs
Crop improvement can accelerate agriculture adaptation to societal demands and climate change
Messina, Carlos D., Borras, Lucas, Tang, Tom and Cooper, Mark (2023). Crop improvement can accelerate agriculture adaptation to societal demands and climate change.
2023
Journal Article
Two decades of harnessing standing genetic variation for physiological traits to improve drought tolerance in maize
Messina, Carlos D., Gho, Carla, Hammer, Graeme L., Tang, Tom and Cooper, Mark (2023). Two decades of harnessing standing genetic variation for physiological traits to improve drought tolerance in maize. Journal of Experimental Botany, 74 (16), 4847-4861. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erad231
2023
Other Outputs
In Silico Sorghum GxExM Dataset For Prediction Algorithm Comparisons
Owen Powell, Greg McLean, Jason Brider, Mark Cooper and Graeme Hammer (2023). In Silico Sorghum GxExM Dataset For Prediction Algorithm Comparisons. figShare. (Dataset) doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.23789685.v2
2023
Conference Publication
Random Forest Importance Diagnostics can Capture Quantitative Genetic Properties of Markers for Genomic Prediction
Tomura, Shunichiro, Powell, Owen and Cooper, Mark (2023). Random Forest Importance Diagnostics can Capture Quantitative Genetic Properties of Markers for Genomic Prediction. International Congress of Genetics, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 16-21 July 2023. figShare. doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.24211230.v1
2023
Other Outputs
Stochastic Simulation of Divergent Selection Experiment on a Gene-Phenotype Network: A Case Study of Shoot Branching in Plants
Powell, Owen and Cooper, Mark (2023). Stochastic Simulation of Divergent Selection Experiment on a Gene-Phenotype Network: A Case Study of Shoot Branching in Plants. figShare. (Dataset) doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.23590083
2023
Conference Publication
GPU can Accelerate the Prediction of Complex Phenotypes
Tomura, Shunichiro, Powell, Owen and Cooper, Mark (2023). GPU can Accelerate the Prediction of Complex Phenotypes. Australasian Leadership Computing Symposium, Canberra, ACT Australia, 14-16 June 2023. doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.24484831.v1
2023
Journal Article
Inclusive collaboration across plant physiology and genomics: Now is the time!
Interdisciplinary Plant Science Consortium and Cooper, Mark (2023). Inclusive collaboration across plant physiology and genomics: Now is the time!. Plant Direct, 7 (5) e493. doi: 10.1002/pld3.493
2023
Book Chapter
Incorporating genetics into crop models to identify new phenotypes adapted to climate change
Messina, Carlos D. and Cooper, Mark (2023). Incorporating genetics into crop models to identify new phenotypes adapted to climate change. Modelling climate change impacts on agricultural systems. (pp. 75-104) Cambridge, United Kingdom: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing. doi: 10.19103/AS.2022.0115.04
2023
Other Outputs
Root system growth and function response to soil temperature in maize (Zea mays L.)
Clark, Randy, Chamberlain, Dan, Diepenbrock, Christine, Cooper, Mark and Messina, Carlos D. (2023). Root system growth and function response to soil temperature in maize (Zea mays L.).
2023
Journal Article
Extending the breeder’s equation to take aim at the target population of environments
Cooper, Mark, Powell, Owen, Gho Brito, Carla, Tang, Tom and Messina, Carlos (2023). Extending the breeder’s equation to take aim at the target population of environments. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14 1129591, 1-10. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1129591
2023
Journal Article
Transgene by germplasm interactions can impact transgene evaluation
Linares, Julien F., Coles, Nathan D., Mo, Hua, Habben, Jeff E., Humbert, Sabrina, Messina, Carlos, Tang, Tom, Cooper, Mark, Gho, Carla, Carrasco, Ricardo, Carter, Javier, Flounders, Jillian Wicher and Brummer, E Charles (2023). Transgene by germplasm interactions can impact transgene evaluation. Crop Science, 63 (4), 1988-1997. doi: 10.1002/csc2.20939
2023
Conference Publication
Hierarchical Gene-Phenotype Maps as a Framework to Predict GxExM Interactions
Powell, Owen, McLean, Greg, Brider, Jason, Technow, Frank, Tang, Tom, Messina, Carlos D., Hammer, Graeme and Cooper, Mark (2023). Hierarchical Gene-Phenotype Maps as a Framework to Predict GxExM Interactions. Quantitative Genetics and Genomics Gordon Research Conference, Ventura, CA, United States, 12-17 February 2023.
2023
Journal Article
Retrospective study in US commercial sorghum breeding: I. Genetic gain in relation to relative maturity
Mayor, L., Demarco, P., Lira, S., Fang, Y., Abadie, T., Gambin, B., Hammer, G., Ciampitti, I., Cooper, M. and Messina, C. (2023). Retrospective study in US commercial sorghum breeding: I. Genetic gain in relation to relative maturity. Crop Science, 63 (2), 501-510. doi: 10.1002/csc2.20897
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Mark Cooper is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Phylogenomic and ecophysiological investigations of transferability of adaptation solutions within the Andropogoneae tribe
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Experimental investigation in Arabidopsis thaliana of realised selection trajectories for complex branching and flowering traits under the control of gene networks following application of genomic prediction methods.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Christine Beveridge, Dr Owen Powell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Assessment of machine learning methods to discover novel models of gene networks to improve genomic prediction for plant breeding
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr James Lefevre, Dr Owen Powell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genomic prediction of lodging in sorghum
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Emma Mace, Professor David Jordan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Testing the branching model predictions using mutant perturbations of populations
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yang Liu, Professor Christine Beveridge
-
Doctor Philosophy
Predicting Plant Success For Future Generations
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Owen Powell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Network biology of quantitative traits in sorghum
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Graeme Hammer, Professor Emma Mace, Dr Sofie Pearson, Professor David Jordan
Completed supervision
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating quantitative genetic issues for a pedigree plant breeding program using computer simulation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Kaye Basford
-
2003
Master Agricultural Science
The inheritance of grain yield among Veery wheat lines under Qld environ.conditions.
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
THE CONTRIBUTION OF OSMOTIC ADJUSTMENT TO GRAIN YIELD IN SORGHUM PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Graeme Hammer
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating envirotyping methodology to evaluate contributions of stay-green traits to wheat yield in Australian environments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Karine Chenu, Professor Ben Hayes, Dr Kai Voss-Fels, Professor Lee Hickey
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
SIMULATING THE IMPACT OF MARKER-ASSISTED SELECTION IN A WHEAT BREEDING PROGRAM
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Kaye Basford
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
GENOTYPIC VARIATION IN SOYBEAN FOR STRATEGIES OF DROUGHT STRESS RESPONSE
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Kaye Basford
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
AN EVALUATION OF MARKER ASSISTED SELECTION (MAS) STRATEGIES FOR GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF WHEAT
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Carroll, Professor Ian Godwin
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
GENOTYPIC DIFFERENCES IN ADAPTATION TO DROUGHT AND INFERTILE SOILS IN RAINFED LOWLAND RICE IN CAMBODIA
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Shu Fukai
Media
Enquiries
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